Chapter 28: Going to Yuan’an, Crossing the Heart Demon
Under Prince Xuan’s astonished gaze, Yun Wuxiang temporarily skipped over the matter of Yuan’an City and asked: “What happened with Prince Li?”
Prince Xuan had prepared a draft early on. Upon being asked, he began: “After you sliced off the dome of the Qiankun Hall, Uncle Longjia ascended the throne with the support of the Commander of the Imperial Guards. The court officials have some complaints about this. Coupled with the fact that no one saw Imperial Father’s body, the court has been quite turbulent recently.”
“Someone on Prince Li’s side suggested he marry the daughter of General Zhennan. That way, he would have the support of a quarter of Great Yu’s military power. Taking advantage of the new Emperor not yet being secure on the throne, he could send troops to the capital. Currently, that General’s daughter is a guest at Prince Li’s Manor.”
As Prince Xuan spoke, his eyes darted toward Yun Wuxiang. Leaving aside Prince Li, there were plenty of people on his side urging him to launch a coup and seize the throne, all of whom he had suppressed.
So what if he became the Emperor? His Imperial Father’s corpse couldn’t even be found, and the person who killed the Emperor was right in front of him.
Prince Li probably knew this too. Prince Longjia was the Emperor selected by this person. Before knowing Yun Wuxiang’s intentions, neither of them dared to act rashly.
Hearing about General Zhennan’s daughter, Yun Wuxiang knew the second plot point had arrived. This young lady was a tiger daughter from a military family, and also Prince Li’s childhood friend.
Perhaps because she grew up in military camps, she was tired of seeing majestic tough guys and preferred scholarly, talented, handsome men.
Thus, as soon as she arrived at Prince Li’s Manor, she took a fancy to the Protagonist Shou, the Tanhua scholar…
The second plot point in the original work was months apart from the Spring Banquet. Now it was happening so fast, likely because he had killed the old Emperor. The throne was unstable, causing this General’s daughter to appear early.
Seeing Yun Wuxiang didn’t react, Prince Xuan weighed his words and finally asked: “You chose Uncle Longjia because Prince Li and I lack the aspect of an Emperor?”
Yun Wuxiang swept over the worry and unwillingness Prince Xuan couldn’t hide in his eyes, understanding that this man was worried about his interference in the throne. He replied: “It is simply not the time.”
“I will not interfere in the battle for the throne. Killing the Emperor was only because he walked a crooked path. However, he was not supposed to die at this moment; his fate had not run its course. Longjia ascending is fine, but if you younger generation succeed him now, it would be inheriting the father’s fate at the cost of your own lifespan.”
If he let them start fighting for the throne now, the plot would collapse directly.
The phrase “cost of your own lifespan” thoroughly cut off some of Prince Xuan’s thoughts. He then frowned: “But Uncle succeeding the throne… the candidate for the next Crown Prince is in doubt. Doesn’t this count as changing the dynasty’s fate?”
Yun Wuxiang: “Prince Longjia is destined to have no sons.”
The original novel mentioned in passing that Prince Longjia was plotted against by other princes when he was young. A bowl of poison left him completely infertile.
He chose this person to succeed the throne after seeing him naturally because he was the most suitable. Whether in terms of ability or impact on the plot, he was the best candidate.
Prince Xuan felt relieved hearing this. A talisman floated down in front of him.
“A protective talisman. It can save your life at a critical moment. This is payment for the mirror fragment.”
Prince Xuan took the talisman. Looking up amidst the chiming of the wind bells, the person in front of him had vanished. Looking at the paper in his hand, he suddenly smiled: “A life-saving talisman, huh? I’ll have to keep this safe.”
“Actually, I quite wanted to try cultivating immortality. What a pity.”
Slash the Imperial Palace with one sword—what man wouldn’t yearn for that after seeing the smooth cut on the Qiankun Hall? Fantasizing that he too could possess such powerful strength.
What a pity. He was born a Prince, carrying too much on his back. The fight for the throne wasn’t just between him and Prince Li; it was a game between their maternal clans and supporters. As long as Prince Li didn’t retreat, he couldn’t retreat.
Besides, the Guanzhu didn’t seem to fancy him.
Better continue fighting for the throne.
…
Yun Wuxiang returned to the island. First, he studied the restriction on Zhao Sihai for a few days, discovering that to unlock this thing, he had to raise his cultivation by another level.
Otherwise, his Zhenqi would be exhausted halfway through unlocking it, leading to failure. Then Zhao Sihai would drop dead, and he wouldn’t dig out any information.
To raise his level, he had to pass the Heart Demon Tribulation.
Yun Wuxiang hadn’t passed the Heart Demon Tribulation partly because he wanted to keep the Heart Demon to see his past self, and partly because there were things he hadn’t let go of.
Scanning the bronze mirror with only one missing piece… Yuan’an City. Perhaps he really should go there.
After making the decision, Yun Wuxiang found Shen Lanqing, made up a random excuse, and took him back to the capital.
Shen Lanqing’s current cultivation mainly involved absorbing the Yin energy in his body; he didn’t need to be on the island to cultivate.
After bringing him back to the capital, Yun Wuxiang timed it perfectly and sent him to a jade shop to buy a piece of jade.
Shen Lanqing didn’t ask much. He did whatever his master said. Plus, the excitement of being able to cultivate hadn’t faded yet, so he went to the jade shop happily.
And then ran into a “Peach Blossom.”
After carefully selecting a top-quality piece of jade, Shen Lanqing was about to pay when his foot slipped. He quickly adjusted his posture to maintain balance.
Just then, a female voice came from behind: “Oh my!”
“Miss, be careful!”
Shen Lanqing twisted his waist. After barely stabilizing himself, he reached out to catch the lady in yellow falling toward him. Unexpectedly, she did a backbend and sprang up, standing firm on her own. Not only that, she reached out toward Shen Lanqing with a posture that looked like she was trying to catch him.
Their hands collided in mid-air, and both froze.
“Sorry, excuse my manners.” Shen Lanqing withdrew his hand.
“Hahaha, sorry about that.” The lady in yellow laughed heartily. That smile stunned Shen Lanqing and made the maid accompanying her black out for a second.
“Miss, smile without showing teeth, smile without showing teeth!” The maid tugged at the lady and whispered.
The lady in yellow put away her smile, revealing a fake-as-could-be smile to Shen Lanqing: “Sorry, I almost fell on you, Young Master.”
Shen Lanqing: “No, I almost collided with you, Miss. Fortunately, Miss is agile…”
“Of course, I’ve followed my dad since childhood…” As soon as the lady in yellow spoke, the maid began whispering: “Proper lady, proper lady.”
The lady’s face distorted for a second, forcing the words “practicing martial arts” into: “learning dance.”
Hearing these two words, Shen Lanqing couldn’t help but chuckle.
At the door, Prince Li paused, glancing at the burly man beside him whose face was ashen.
Yun Wuxiang, invisible and watching the plot unfold from the side, smiled and said to the System: [This supporting female character is quite interesting.]
He had followed Shen Lanqing as soon as he left. The slip earlier was his doing. He hadn’t expected the follow-up to be so comical.
【Yeah, her dad’s face is green to the point of turning black.】 3339 sighed like a gossip-eater.
“Nan Junxuan!”
Nan Junxuan turned her head to see her own father’s ugly expression. Her face twisted rapidly before squeezing out a stiff, ladylike smile, pinching her throat to call out delicately: “Daddy~”
General Zhennan, a burly giant, shivered at that “Daddy.” Scanning the people around, he plastered on an equally fake benevolent father smile: “Good daughter.”
Nan Junxuan’s eyelid twitched. General Zhennan’s mouth twitched. The father and daughter looked at each other with utter disgust.
Prince Li, meanwhile, had an awkward chat with Shen Lanqing: “Didn’t you go cultivating with the Guanzhu?”
Shen Lanqing: “Yes, came back to stay for a while. Is your health okay recently?”
“Fine. About the steward, I apologize on his behalf.”
“No need. He’s your man; worrying about you is expected.”
After a moment of silence, Prince Li saw the jade in his hand and asked: “Buying jade?”
Shen Lanqing: “Yes.”
Prince Li: “I’ll pay for it, as an apology.”
“No need.” Shen Lanqing refused. He was buying jade for his Master; what was the point if Prince Li paid?
“You two know each other?” Nan Junxuan poked her head out to look at them.
Prince Li: “Yes.”
Shen Lanqing: “Met once.”
Nan Junxuan looked at the two, glanced at Prince Li, then fixed her gaze on Shen Lanqing. Specifically, looking at his face, her eyes brightened: “I am Nan Junxuan. May I ask this Young Master’s surname?”
“I am Shen Lanqing.” Shen Lanqing only acted childishly in front of Yun Wuxiang. Outside, facing anyone else, he was the image of a polite, gentle, and modest gentleman.
Superior looks, a fluid and elegant bow, plus a gentle smile were enough to keep Nan Junxuan’s eyes glued to him, making endless small talk like “Mr. Shen this, Mr. Shen that.”
And this successfully turned General Zhennan’s face from green to purple. His eyes looked like he wanted to grab a military stick and whack someone’s backside a few times.
Out of politeness, Shen Lanqing naturally wouldn’t let a girl’s words drop or make her feel awkward. He responded to almost every sentence from Nan Junxuan, causing a certain Prince’s expression to change as well.
Noticing the atmosphere was off, Shen Lanqing found an excuse to pay and leave. Nan Junxuan chased after him: “Mr. Shen, where is your home? Can I find you to play later?”
“Men and women should keep distance. Miss Nan should find other noble ladies to play with.”
After saying this, seeing the ineffective ladylike smile on Nan Junxuan’s face, Shen Lanqing finally couldn’t help but offer a gentle piece of advice: “Actually, Miss Nan, you look better when you laugh heartily.”
Nan Junxuan stared blankly at his retreating back, raising a hand to touch the corner of her mouth: “Better?”
Since coming to the capital, this was the first person who didn’t find her behavior lacking in propriety and even praised her smile.
“Silly girl, what are you staring at?” General Zhennan walked out and slapped his daughter on the shoulder.
Then he saw his troublesome daughter turn around with a smile, pointing in the direction Shen Lanqing left: “Dad, can I snatch that Shen Lanqing to be my bandit husband?”
General Zhennan instantly exploded, slapping his daughter: “Get lost! You haven’t even married yet and you want to cuckold Prince Li? How did I get a daughter like you!”
Nan Junxuan barred her teeth, rubbing her painful shoulder: “Tsk, what’s so good about Prince Li? I just don’t like the look of him. If not for him, would I have come to this lousy capital to be some fake lady?”
“Keep your voice down. This is the capital; don’t blabber about everything.”
The father and daughter muttered behind Prince Li’s back for a bit, then turned to respectfully accompany Prince Li in selecting jade, though everyone was somewhat distracted.
【Ding. Supporting female character Nan Junxuan’s ‘Love at First Sight’ plot point with Protagonist Shou completed.】
Yun Wuxiang watched the whole process, marveling that his disciple had the potential to be a player. After hearing the System notification, he asked: [How much energy do I still need?]
【Opening the time-space tunnel requires a total of 100,000 energy points. Currently accumulated: 41,672 points.】
Still forty percent short. Yun Wuxiang frowned: [Will I get enough energy after a few more plot points?]
【Excluding some minor fragmented plot points, there are five major ones left.
About a year later, Prince Xuan contacts the Poison Mist Marsh to poison Prince Li, aggravating his toxicity and endangering his life. Shen Lanqing digging out his heart for medicine will yield 30,000 energy points.
First feigned death after digging the heart will yield 20,000 points.
During the feigned death period, Prince Li is granted a marriage. Shen Lanqing hearing about this will yield 15,000 points.
Seven years later, being found by Prince Li, imprisoned in the palace for a year, then a palace fire and second feigned death will yield 30,000 points.
Finally, the plot of Prince Li taking him to find the immortal island to beg the worldly expert for treatment will yield 15,000 points.】
【Host can gather enough energy after completing three more major plot points.】
Yun Wuxiang crossed his arms, tapping his fingers on his elbow. Three plot points: digging out the heart, feigned death, granted marriage.
Digging out the heart for medicine—Shen Lanqing’s constitution had been modified by the Five-Color Cloud Ganoderma. If it were anyone else, they would be dead as a doornail.
Better modify his disciple’s cultivation method again. Fusing the Ghost cultivation method with the Wood Spirit method’s recovery ability should turn his disciple into a low-spec Song Yilou. Then he wouldn’t die no matter how much he was cut.
As long as he didn’t get emotionally involved, digging out a heart or losing a leg wouldn’t be a big deal.
Thus, two days after Shen Lanqing handed the purchased jade to Yun Wuxiang, he received a new cultivation manual and a jade bracelet.
“Master, this is?” Shen Lanqing looked at the bracelet in his hand. It was exactly the same as his former Green Dragon Jade Bracelet.
Yun Wuxiang said: “Green Dragon Jade Bracelet. Wear it. Smash it in danger to save your life.”
Shen Lanqing looked at the bracelet but didn’t feel the expected joy: “Master, is there really nothing I can do to help you?”
When buying the jade, he thought he could finally do something for his Master. In the end, it was given back to him.
Yun Wuxiang: “Take good care of yourself, cultivate diligently—that is helping me.”
“If one day Prince Li’s poison flares up and he is critically ill with no cure, and seeks you for treatment, you can give him half a heart. Let Mo Yang help you feign death and escape. Return to the island to recuperate. That way, the Shen Manor will face no trouble.”
Shen Lanqing listened to his instructions, gripping the bracelet tightly, staring at Yun Wuxiang: “Master, where are you going?”
Are you leaving again? Why else tell me these things?
Yun Wuxiang: “I’m going to resolve some matters. The return date is uncertain. Telling you this is just a precaution.”
Return date uncertain. Again, uncertain. Last time you told me the return date was uncertain, you left me for thirteen years!
Shen Lanqing suppressed it again and again, but the sentence “Can I go with you?” still couldn’t be spoken. Finally, he said: “I wish Master success in everything and a safe, early return.”
“Mhm.” Yun Wuxiang couldn’t give him a specific deadline. Crossing a Heart Demon Tribulation was a first for him too; he had no experience.
His little disciple’s staring eyes gave Yun Wuxiang the inexplicable feeling of a puppy he raised clinging to the door sill, watching him leave for a long trip—not barking or fussing, but eyes clearly saying “Why won’t you take me?”
But he really couldn’t take him for this.
Yun Wuxiang left immediately after speaking. Leaving the Shen Manor, the bronze mirror started making noise: [You made him a bracelet again! I’m jealous. Guanzhu, be careful, the other ‘me’s might go steal the bracelet.]
Yun Wuxiang glanced at him faintly: “Go ahead. That bracelet contains a surprise prepared for you.”
[Oh, it’s a trap for me. Wonder which unlucky guy will fall for it. Hahahaha!]
After a while, the bronze mirror noticed something wrong: [Guanzhu, this doesn’t seem to be the way back to the island. Where are we going?]
Yun Wuxiang: “To Yuan’an City, of course. To piece you together. Once the mirror is complete, I can repair the artifact, form a contract, and erase the artifact spirit.”
“Looking forward to it?”
[Not looking forward to it. The other pieces aren’t dead yet, why kill me first?]
Yun Wuxiang smiled: “Because right now I can only see you.”
Only you are right at hand. The other pieces are all hiding.
[Wow, Guanzhu confessed to me!]
Yun Wuxiang: “…” Mentally challenged children have so much joy.
The surrounding scenery changed constantly. The vegetation grew more lush, but signs of human habitation became scarcer.
Until a city wall covered in green plants appeared before his eyes.
Yuan’an City, arrived.
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